The question I get asked the most IRL is, “What the heck is business casual?”

Business casual is the mythical beast of dress codes. It’s the head of a working professional and the bottom of a casual person. It lurks in the shadows at night, sometimes wearing a pencil skirt, other times wearing a sweater. It’s one of the hardest dress codes to follow because every workplace has its own culture. What I call business casual is probably not what the CEO of Google calls business casual. Please adjust these outfits as needed for your workplace.

Table of Contents

1. Trending in Plaid

I never thought of plaid as anything close to business casual until this year, when plaid officially took over the world, including the private sector. Speaking of, did anyone see Julian Morris slay in New Girl in that plaid shirt? That was plaid done right, my friends.

I paired this amazing Old Navy plaid top with a bright J.Crew skirt, but if you don’t go to a school where fire engine red is always acceptable, this top would also be cute with a neutral pencil skirt.

2. The Pinterest-Inspired Look

Every time I go on Pinterest I see at least one picturesque woman wearing skinnies and a blazer. I paired my colored skinnies, neutral blouse and black blazer with a statement necklace, but if you have a real autumn where you live, an infinity scarf would look great, too.

I am lusting after all the plaid infinity scarves this season. In case you can’t tell, I don’t have a few favorites things. I have one, and it’s plaid. Please, Santa, come bearing scarves and everything plaid!

3. Most Loved Fall Dress

I am obsessed with this oxblood/burnt umber/vampy-I-don’t-know-colors dress. It’s suitable for just about any occasion, which is why it’s a must-have this fall. Speaking of must-haves, have you gotten yourself a pair of ankle boots? These boots are going to walk all over you, just like they’ve walked all over me and the rest of the world.